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Do I Need An Electrical Panel Upgrade?

An electrical panel upgrade is needed if you have defective wiring or if you have noticed rust. This is essential to prevent the dangers of faulty panels that could lead to electrocution or fire.

Electricity is so accessible and automatic in our daily lives that we often take it for granted. Aside from the usual basic electrical safety precautions, you also have to know when it’s time to replace your home’s electrical panel. Take cues from the following symptoms below to determine whether or not you need to call a licensed electrician to get an electrical panel upgrade:

When do you Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade?

Defective wiring

Faulty wiring is one of the top causes of house fires in the US, making it an obvious reason why you should upgrade your electrical panel. Though there will be signs of wear and tear as time goes by, it can eventually become a serious safety issue. Constant light flickers and tingling shocks when touching electronics are a good sign your wiring is poor.

Recurrent tripping

You’re using your juicer in the kitchen then the lights go out suddenly. Or you’re in the middle of a movie marathon then you lose electricity in the living room. You must’ve blown a fuse or tripped a breaker. This normally happens when your electrical panel is struggling to meet your home’s power demands. The circuit shuts down to avoid overheating that can cause sparks and fires. An upgrade should be in order to have a more stable flow of energy to all your lights and appliances.

Heavy usage of outlets and extensions

Outlets in this modern day and age can manage a great deal of electricity demands. However, you may be using them more than ever before. So much so that you’ve also resorted to using electrical extension cords, which is not a very safe option. A safer and smarter route is hiring a reliable electrical contractor to add more outlets and upgrade your electrical panel system.

Rust accumulation

Take a quick peek inside the box. If there’s rust accumulating, that’s another sign you need an electrical panel upgrade. The breakers and other parts will deteriorate when water finds its way into the panel. This can eventually destroy it and can even lead to electrical fire. Aside from changing the panel in this specific case, inspect also where the leak is coming from and fix it. Transferring the new electrical panel to a more secure location may also be required.

Adding new gadgets and appliances

If you’re adding new electronics or upgrading to the latest gadgets and gizmos, you have to make certain your electrical panel would be able to handle the additional amount of electricity flow into your home. Ensure you can safely use your new entertainment system or central heating/cooling unit and other equipment by upgrading your electrical panel.